Many drivers focus on the passport, insurance or the route, but they overlook a key procedure: canceling the vehicle's temporary import permit in time. This carelessness can translate into loss of the deposit and problems for future trips. The National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) indicates that, when a person enters the country with their vehicle and processes that permit, they must present the car upon leaving in a CIITEV module to obtain proof of return and recover the guarantee deposit.

Traveling by road from the United States to Mexico continues to be a common option for thousands of people, especially in states such as Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico. For some, it is the most practical way to visit family, go sightseeing or spend time on the other side of the border. But on that trip there is a fairly common mistake that can be expensive: forgetting to cancel the permit linked to Banjercito before returning.

The topic is not always well understood because many travelers talk about “doing the procedure with Banjercito” without distinguishing between the permit, the deposit and the cancellation. In practice, the problem usually appears at the end of the trip, when the driver leaves Mexico without closing the process correctly. That's where you can lose money and complicate your situation for next time.

What does Banjercito have to do with your car?

Banjercito participates in the operation of the temporary vehicle import permit. The official information from ANAM explains that, if you come from abroad with your vehicle, you need to process a permit and that this can be managed online 10 to 60 days before the trip, in certain Mexican consulates in the United States or when entering the country in CIITEV modules located at entry customs.

This permission not only has an administrative cost. It also involves a security deposit that varies depending on the vehicle model: $400 for 2007 and later models, $300 for 2001 to 2006 models and $200 for 2000 and earlier models.

This money is not automatically lost, but to recover it, a basic condition must be met: register the definitive return of the vehicle before the permit expires.

The mistake that many make when returning to the US.

The most frequent error does not occur when entering, but when leaving Mexico. There are people who believe that crossing back to the United States is enough. It is not always like this. The Mexican customs authority indicates that, upon returning, the driver must present the vehicle at the CIITEV module located at the border so that the return receipt is issued and the security deposit is returned.

If this step is not done correctly, the process may remain open or without formal closure.

In other words: it is not enough to have finished the trip. You must also leave official proof of the return of the car.

How much money can you lose

The most immediate consequence may be economic. ANAM indicates that Banjercito will return the guarantee deposit in the same way in which it was constituted, provided that the definitive return of the vehicle has been registered before the expiration of the permit.

This means that if the permit expires or if the return is not properly recorded, the traveler may have problems recovering that money. This is not a small sum: the deposit can be $200, $300 or $400, depending on the year of the car.

Furthermore, when the payment was made by card, the return is made to that same card on the next banking business day after the final return of the vehicle; If the deposit was in cash, the refund is made in cash at any CIITEV module at border customs.

It's not just a question of money

The impact doesn't always end at the tank. On the same official page, ANAM reminds that the user signs a letter of commitment to return the vehicle within the authorized period.

It also clarifies that, if for some reason the vehicle was not returned on time, there is a “safe return” procedure, which provides a period of five business days from the presentation of the notice to legally return it to its place of origin.

This shows that not returning or regularizing the permit on time can open an administrative problem that should be avoided. For a frequent traveler, being left with a pending procedure can complicate future crossings or new procedures related to the vehicle.

How much does the permit cost and where is it processed?

Official information distinguishes between several ways to process the permit. In CIITEV modules located at entry customs and in authorized Mexican consulates in the United States, the cost is $51 dollars plus VAT. If processed online, the cost is $45 dollars plus VAT.

It is also worth knowing that the permit can be obtained online, between 10 and 60 days before the trip, and at Mexican consulates in the United States, up to 6 months before. It can also be taken directly when entering the country, in the enabled modules.

For those traveling during peak seasons, doing so in advance can save time and avoid lines.

What documents do they usually ask for?

ANAM indicates that foreigners with the status of visitor, temporary resident or temporary resident student can temporarily import a single vehicle and must present a valid passport or passport card and the official document issued by the immigration authority.

In addition, the person must prove ownership or possession of the vehicle with one of these documents: title, current license plate registration, lease contract with authorization from the lessor, credit contract or, in certain cases, employment documentation and ownership of the vehicle by the company.

How to avoid problems when returning

The simplest recommendation is also the most important: do not leave the closing of the procedure to memory or improvisation. If you traveled with a temporary import permit, before leaving Mexico be sure to go through the corresponding module to register the return of the vehicle and keep the receipt.

It is worth checking three things before returning: the validity of the permit, the original receipt and the status of the deposit. ANAM also points out that the status of the permit can be reviewed using the QR code on the digital permit, in CIITEV modules or in Mexican consulates in the United States that have a Banjercito module.

What to remember before the next trip

At first glance, the error seems minor. But it is not. A road trip to Mexico can end without a hitch on the route and still leave an administrative problem for not correctly canceling the vehicle permit. And when that happens, the cost can be felt in your pocket.

The warning is clear: if you processed a temporary permit for your car, the return does not end when you cross into the United States. It ends when the return is formally registered.